What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible fee-paying students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. FEE-HELP began on 1 January 2005 and is available to all eligible fee-paying students.

FEE-HELP Limit

You can borrow up to the amount of the tuition fee being charged by AICM for your course. If you have already utilized FEE-HELP for previous studies, it is important to note the FEE-HELP limit (how much you can borrow) is indexed each year.

A loan fee of 25% applies to FEE-HELP loans for undergraduate courses of study. The FEE-HELP limit does not include the loan fee. No loan fee applies to FEE-HELP loans for postgraduate courses.

The Australian Government pays the amount of the loan directly to the student's provider. Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income is above the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment. Compulsory repayments are made when you lodge your tax return and your HELP repayment income is above the minimum threshold, eg. $49,095 in 2012-13. Students are also able to contibute voluntary payments for HELP debts.

FEE-HELP is available to commencing students who are either Australian Citizens or Australian Permanent Residents with a humanitarian visa, and some continuing students. FEE-HELP is not available to students who are not Australian citizens (except for those in possession of a PR humanitarian visa).

Further information on FEE-HELP loans can be found by contacting our office.